Nehemiah 11:9

Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 11:1-19

Jerusalem is called here the holy city (Neh 11:1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there, 1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city here upon earth. Or, 2.…

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 11:9

overseer--that is, "captain" or "chief."

Adam Clarke on Nehemiah 11:9

And Joel - was their overseer - Joel was chief or magistrate over those, and Judah was his second or deputy. Perhaps each had a different office, but that of Joel was the chief.

John Gill on Nehemiah 11:9

And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer,.... Or chief governor of the city: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city; or the deputy governor of it; so Pitholaus is called an under governor in Jerusalem by Josephus (l). (l) Antiqu. l. 14. c. 6. sect. 1.

Keil & Delitzsch on Nehemiah 11:7-9

Of the Benjamites there were two heads of houses: Sallu, and after him Gabbai-Sallai, with nine hundred and twenty-eight fathers of families. Their chief was Joel the son of Zichri, and Jehuda the son of Sennah over the city as second (prefect).

Tyndale Open Study Notes on Nehemiah 11:4